The Mo and Katy Show

Katy Stevens and Mo Barrett
  • 5.0 (14)
  • Comedy
  • Updated Semimonthly

Welcome to The Mo & Katy Show - the podcast where two unlikely best friends, one retired Air Force Colonel and one music-and-performance ace, sit down, hit record and turn everyday moments into joyful, meaningful, side-eye-worthy adventures. Mo and Katy are humor strategists who believe life’s best stories aren’t always the big ones, they’re the weird detours, the tiny sparks, the grocery-store epiphanies and the “did-that-really-just-happen?” moments hiding in plain sight. Every episode brings: Hilariously honest banter from an odd couple who somehow make perfect sense togetherA shared story or everyday moment that becomes the through-lineTangents that should probably be edited out (but never are)A dash of heart, because connection, not comedy, is the real punchlineA reminder to see the extraordinary in the ordinary, even when life feels like a plot twist with no budget Whether you’re here for a laugh, a little perspective or that cozy “I’m right in the room with them” feeling, pull up a chair. You’re part of the conversation now. Life is weird. People are wonderful. And everything - everything - is worth noticing. Welcome to the Mo & Katy Show. Where connection leads, laughter follows and monotony doesn’t stand a chance.

  1. 5d ago

    Howl at the Moon: On Manifesting, Milestones, and Making People Feel​ SHUAC'd

    It's the last day of May (AKA June Eve) and Mo is going outside to howl at the blue moon and manifest some things. But first: a riff on the real power behind speaking your goals out loud, why writing them down actually works and why manifesting a specific house address may not be how it works (apparently there are rules). From there, Mo and Katy toast a season of milestones - Katy's final recitals and her last seniors, Mo's mom turning 88, the WASP Singalong Songbook becoming a tangible thing, a live show at the Columbiana Arts Theater, a river cruise, birthday cake across multiple states (with one small geography hiccup) and a retirement party game for their friend Janene. Plus: sympathetic resonance as a framework for believing in things, the dickey industrial complex, passwords you can't remember and what Jim Fixx really teaches us about working out.

    28 min

  2. May 25

    The Thing Behind the Thing: Recitals, Connection & What Memorial Day Actually Means

    Mo and Katy record from a church (using a magnifying glass as a ring light, long story) right after Katy's third student recital of the season. They talk about what it really means to teach music - spoiler: it's not about the music. It's about giving kids a safe space to be vulnerable, teaching them to ground themselves when performance anxiety hits and creating a community where fifth graders and high school seniors cheer each other on from the front pews. Mo reflects on the difference between interacting with someone and actually connecting with them, why some servers can hang and some can't and how just because you interacted with somebody doesn't mean you actually saw them. Katy explains why she stopped printing programs, doing receptions and taking herself so seriously as a vocal performance major who swore she'd never teach kids (spoiler: she teaches a lot of kids now). They also talk about Memorial Day - not the grills-and-pool-floats version, but the actual somber reflection on people who gave the last full measure of devotion. And they remind you: the thing is rarely about the thing. Sometimes you just need to stop and ask what the thing behind the thing actually is. Recorded live from a Methodist church where coffee is allowed and magnifying lights are used inappropriately.

    16 min

  3. May 18

    Pickleball, Prize Boxes and the Power of Remembering Birthdays

    Mo and Katy dive into Mo's first real pickleball experience - complete with competitive racquetball instincts, an 11-year-old opponent and some questionable "dick moves" on the court. The conversation flows from the gamification of exercise (Dance Dance Revolution, anyone?) to the psychology of dopamine hits, prize boxes and birthday stickers. Mo shares how she leverages technology to remember important dates and why calling someone on their birthday matters more than we think. Plus: the difference between squash and racquetball, why nobody should lick stamps from the 1900s and a very important PSA about keeping glue sticks away from your lips. It's a warm, funny exploration of human connection, the small gestures that make us feel seen, and why sometimes the best workouts don't feel like workouts at all.

    33 min

  4. May 11

    SHUAC'ing Magic: Mother's Day, Relational Performances and the Art of Connection

    Mo and Katy celebrate Mother's Day by reflecting on the transformative power of live performance and relational connection. From Spencer Horsman's intimate magic shows at Illusions Bar to Katy's recital season prep, they explore why the same show is never quite the same twice. The duo dives into what makes experiences truly memorable - whether it's moderating WASP panels, teaching voice lessons or traveling with your best friend. Along the way, expect tangents about armadillo shirts, owl purses, Tootsie Pops and why being relational instead of transactional changes everything. Plus: the care and feeding of your Moey, trunk songs vs. torch songs and the inevitable morning pun sessions that happen on every road trip.

    33 min

  5. May 9 ·  Bonus

    FULL STOP Friday - How Purposeful Pauses Can Transform Your Life and Work

    Most entrepreneurs and busy professionals are rushing through their routines without realizing how certain moments of pause can transform their mindset and productivity. What if the key to clarity isn’t more hustle, but intentional interruption?  Discover a simple yet powerful framework—full stop—that helps you reset, reflect and realign with your goals in less than five minutes a day. For this FULL STOP Friday, Mo and Katy unpack how a small shift—interrupting the rush, pausing with purpose and adding a tiny twist—can generate big breakthroughs. They share real stories of how this practice has helped them and their clients make smarter decisions, embrace change and find joy in the everyday chaos.  You’ll learn why stopping isn’t a sign of weakness but a strategic tool that builds resilience and clarity. We break down specific tactics: how to incorporate "full stop" moments into your workflow, the surprising science behind spaced repetition and reflection and how playful pauses like games can supercharge your creativity.  Plus, get actionable exercises to reflect on your life over the past five years - an essential step for entrepreneurs craving purpose and perspective amidst the overwhelm. Failing to pause can leave you on autopilot, missing opportunities for growth and gratitude. But when you master the art of the full stop, you unlock a clearer vision, deeper connections and a more intentional way of living. If you're ready to challenge the rush and embrace your next shift with confidence, this episode is your blueprint. Perfect for entrepreneurs, leaders and anyone feeling overwhelmed by constant busyness - this is your invitation to stop doing so you can start truly being.  Tune in, reflect and take your first full stop today.

    14 min

  6. May 4

    You're Not Bad at Managing Energy - You're Just Doing It Alone (And Also Maybe Need Bottle Caps)

    We picked back up on Zoom after Riverside staged a quiet revolt, and honestly? The conversation got better. Mo unpacks something she's been noticing across multiple high-stakes gigs: the tank. The Boston book signing tank. The post-Lockheed-Martin tank. The Air Force Academy tank, 90% through a panel she was moderating after two and a half days of being fully, relentlessly on. What causes it? What helps? (Short answer: Katy. Also Smarties.) We also talk about why looking back five years matters more than most people let themselves do and why if you minimize the struggle, you minimize the success. Plus: Mo tried to fill out a five-year timeline graphic and genuinely could not remember half of what she'd built. Jen could. That's the whole lesson. This is Part 2 of 2.

    23 min

  7. May 4

    Dead Last to First: The Kentucky Derby, a Female Trainer, and What Winning With a Village Looks Like

    It's the first Sunday in May and Riverside just tried to ruin our podcast. (It didn't win.) Before we fled to Zoom, we got into the Kentucky Derby - specifically, the first female trainer to ever win it, the horse who came from dead last to cross the finish line and the brother jockeys we didn't see coming. Mo also shares what happened at the Virginia Gold Cup, where the crowd unanimously rooted for the riderless horse. (The jockey was fine. Probably.) Katy reports on taking a crocheted blanket and a smuggled Diet Pepsi to see the Michael Jackson biopic - and why the conversation on the drive home was the real event. This is Part 1 of 2 because technology is a gift and also a liar.

    9 min

  8. Apr 27

    Throwaway Moments That Last Forever

    Mo just got back from the Air Force Academy's 50th Anniversary celebration of women in military service academies - exhausted, emotional and full of stories. From moderating panels with Miss America and Miss Veteran America to finally thanking Lieutenant General Michelle Johnson after 20 years, this episode is about the tiny moments that shape entire lives. We talk about the danger of throwaway comments (both positive and negative), why minimizing the struggle means minimizing the success and how a simple "thank you" at the Air Force Memorial in 2006 became a 20-year mission to pay it forward. Plus: Katy shares why adults who "can't sing" can always trace it back to one cruel comment. This one's a tearjerker with a mission: make your throwaway comments positive ones.

    32 min
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Trailers

5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Mo & Katy Show - the podcast where two unlikely best friends, one retired Air Force Colonel and one music-and-performance ace, sit down, hit record and turn everyday moments into joyful, meaningful, side-eye-worthy adventures. Mo and Katy are humor strategists who believe life’s best stories aren’t always the big ones, they’re the weird detours, the tiny sparks, the grocery-store epiphanies and the “did-that-really-just-happen?” moments hiding in plain sight. Every episode brings: Hilariously honest banter from an odd couple who somehow make perfect sense togetherA shared story or everyday moment that becomes the through-lineTangents that should probably be edited out (but never are)A dash of heart, because connection, not comedy, is the real punchlineA reminder to see the extraordinary in the ordinary, even when life feels like a plot twist with no budget Whether you’re here for a laugh, a little perspective or that cozy “I’m right in the room with them” feeling, pull up a chair. You’re part of the conversation now. Life is weird. People are wonderful. And everything - everything - is worth noticing. Welcome to the Mo & Katy Show. Where connection leads, laughter follows and monotony doesn’t stand a chance.

Information

  • Creator
    Katy Stevens and Mo Barrett
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    188
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Katy Stevens and Mo Barrett